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Gurukul International
ISSN No. 2394-8426
Mar – 2015
Issue – I, Volume – II
Multidisciplinary
Research Journal (GIMRJ)
The Life And Vision Of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
Dr. Pandharinath L. Dhengle
Prof. Ravindra D. Hajare
Associate professor,
Shri Shankarrao Bezalwar Arts and
Commerce College Aheri Dist.
Gadchiroli. (MS)
[email protected]
9420185886
Associate professor,
Shri Shankarrao Bezalwar Arts and
Commerce College Aheri Dist.
Gadchiroli. (MS)
[email protected]
9403867682
Abstract:
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar has been a great son of mother in the true sense of the word. India. His
entire life has been a beacon light for every Indian and those who suffered much under caste system.
His anthropological researches have been very phenomenal in his work as an activist and fighter for
the downtrodden. Being inspired by his father, he made up his mind to devote his life to the service
of his people. His satyagrahas helped him achieve rights for the Dalits. With his mission and vision
he forced the other people to be introvert and think of the downtrodden humanly. His vision has
been reflected in the constitution of India.
Key words:
Untouchability, mission, Varna System, constitution
Introduction:
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is mostly remembered as the Father of the Indian Constitution. He is
also referred as the Savior as the Depressed Classes called Dalist today. Ranging from his early
education, his experiences, his wide reading, his researches as an anthropologist, his struggle as
activist, his writings, his political, economical and social views, and above all his mission of
eradicating untouchability, his work as a politician and legislator all amount to call a great fighter
of mankind. He took an idea, made it one idea of his life, thought of it, dreamed of it, lived on
that idea, let his brain, muscles, nurses every part of his body be full of the idea, and just left
other ideas alone. This is the way a great spiritual giant like B. R. Ambedkar succeeded in his
mission. He lived an arduous life. He lived for his mission died for it. Hence his life itself is a
mission.
Ambedkar has played the part of destiny in the liberation of suppressed humanity in
India. So it is necessary to understand his life, character and mission and know his as he is and as
he is distorted by his enemies and defiled by his devotees.
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ISSN No. 2394-8426
Mar – 2015
Issue – I, Volume – II
Multidisciplinary
Research Journal (GIMRJ)
His Parentage and its Impression:
Hailing from a poor family, belonging to one of the untouchable communities in India
that had different names in different parts of the country, Ambedkar witnessed inhuman
treatment given to those lowest strata of human life, which were deprived of fundamental needs.
They were forced to occupy their dwelling in the dingy dirty and unhygienic outskirts of villages
and towns for habitations, where they lived in dark, insanitary, and miserable smoky shanties or
cottages. The children were not allowed to go to schools attended by caste Hindus. Though they
worshipped Hindu Gods and observed the same festivals, the Hindu temples were closed to
The Origin of the Untouchability:
The origin of the untouchability is found actual practice of original principles of division
of labor, which did not sustain for long. The society was divided according to four Varnas and
those who served all higher three were called Shudras. But in the course of time, the Varnas
became watertight compartments and degenerated later into present caste system. The Shudras
were degraded and segregated as untouchables.
However this disruptive system did not go unchallenged. Several worthy sons of India
made attempts to free society from this system. Starting from Lord Buddha, Ramanuja,
Basavana, Eknath, Tukaram, Rohidas, Kabir, who succeeded to some extent in their efforts, to
modern age reformers, who, with spiritual awakening tried to bring about changes in society. The
period of Spiritual Enlightenment in India saw another wave of socio-religious revival led by
Raja Ram Mohan Ray, followed by many other social reformers like Jyotirao Phule, V. R.
Shinde, Karve, B. Malbari, Ranade, Agarkar, Telang etc. They all played vital role in this period
despite the neutral role of the British rulers. Among the Indian Princes the work done by
Sayajirao Gaikwad of Baroda and Shri Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur to eradicate untouchability by
starting schools for the untouchables was commendable. Gopal Baba Walangkar and Dayanand
made great efforts too.
Socio-Political Revival in Maharashtra:
By the 1890s a strong socio-political revival had set in even in Maharashtra. The main
problems that confronted the leaders along with political backwardness were the caste system,
untouchability, child marring, widow remarriage, and emancipation of women from all bondages.
A bitter controversy arose over whether social reforms should take precedence over political
reforms. The British naturally wanted Indians to focus on social reforms and bypass the political
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ISSN No. 2394-8426
Mar – 2015
Issue – I, Volume – II
Multidisciplinary
Research Journal (GIMRJ)
agitation. But some of the Indian leaders wanted both need to happen simultaneously. The
foremost among them were Ranade, Agarkar, Tilak. They actively propagated social and political
reforms and created discounted among the masses to force the British government to confer
rights to them. Besides, they also fought against the orthodox Hindus who were not ready for
change. It was this period that created a platform for the true champion to emerge.
Dr. Ambedkar had derived from his father his painstaking spirit, forceful mental energy
and intense interest in the welfare of his society. Ramji exerted great influence on young mind of
Bhim. A friend and admirer of Phule, Ramji was aware of the social problems faced by his
community.
During his early days at Satara, Bhimrao realized painfully what the stigma of
untouchability meant. There were so many rude and shattering shocks to the budding mind of
Bhim. They left an indelible impression on his young mind that was so strong, so sensitive and
yet resolute. Such insults engendered in him a burring hatred for Hinduism, which later
compelled him to launch a rigorous mission and movement. Bhim, in his youth like Tilak and
Saverkar, developed a passion for reading. His desire to possess books was insatiable, a wide
reading, deep knowledge and historical perspective bestowed upon him a certain prestige and
toning.
Notwithstanding the ills and intolerable insults inflicted upon him and stimulated by his
father to rise to high position in life encouraged by broad-minded men, Bhim passed
matriculation in 1907, BA in 1912 against all odds. He concentrated more on reading than on
scoring good marks. It was his aim to arm himself with every possible missile, made himself
master of a repository of knowledge and develop the power of his mind to prepare him for higher
attainment and a new life that was to open the portals and possibilities of a great career, which he
obtained many times in his life. The most important and significant was his appointment as
chairman of Drafting Committee of the constitution of independent India.
The Whirlwind of Discontent: Bhimrao’s Mission:
It was during these periods that right of Indians was totally suppressed by the British
govt…. This gave rise to a whirlwind of discontent. Tilak was sent to Mandalay and Savarkar to
Andaman and imprisoned several others. These events shook Maharshtra violently. This sate of
repression agitated the strong currents of Bhim’s mind. They were seen when he wrote “The
Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India”. The mission in the life of Ambedkar was
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ISSN No. 2394-8426
Mar – 2015
Issue – I, Volume – II
Multidisciplinary
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launched from his young age. What he saw, read or experienced, were bursting out in form of his
thoughts. Infused with strength of will to resist worldly temptation and a depth of spirituality,
Bhimrao paved way to uplift the downtrodden and the depressed and to eradicate untouchability
on all grounds-social, political spiritual and economical. He himself had sustained so many
wounds during his education and also while working in boroda for the Maharaja and in a colllege
in Bombay. They were always haunting and troubling his mind and provoking him to do
something substantial and perpetual to win rights for this community in particular and the
Hinduism in general. His life itself has been a Yadnya, first Dnyan Yandnya and then Karma
Yadnya. The real Dnyan Yandnya started when he went to America. He studied for 18 hours a
day and went on endlessly digging knowledge. His stay in the U.S., also exercise great influence
on him. After becoming Barrister and getting a mean of earning a living, he literally threw him in
the Karma Yadnya.
The Activities of the Depressed Classes Mission:
The activities of Depressed Classes were in progress. The Indian National Congress was
growing conscious of the existence of the Depressed Classes. But its sudden love emanated for
the Untouchables was because of the result of the British policies. The British rulers were trying
at all cost to divide the Indians and rule over then under the name of caste and religion. They
were showing special favor for the Muslim League by sanctioning separate constituencies for
them but purposefully neglecting the demands of the Depressed Classes. It was this historical
moment when Ambedkar jumped into the mahayadnya of Karma initiating his mission. Finding
the conferences of the DC reserved and skeptical initially, Ambedkar did not associate himself
with them. He was waiting for right time to draw upon his energy and brain power. His mind was
busy with the ideas of intellectual conquest which he earned as a professor first then a lawyer.
Wanton insults and frequent humiliation were tempting him to go the roots of the teething
trouble. So gradually he began to feel the pulse of the Untouchables and was silently contacting
all the centers of sympathizers with the cause. He was also impressed by the rigorous campaign
launched by Shahu Maharaj to eradicate untouchability by promoting education among the lower
classes, eradicating prejudices and barriers created by the caste system.
Dr. Ambedkar’s Battle against Varna System: His Message.
Dr. Ambedkar was a great fighter. He fought on all grounds. He fought legal, political,
social, spiritual and intellectual fights, and surpassed all those who criticized him as narrow-
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ISSN No. 2394-8426
Mar – 2015
Issue – I, Volume – II
Multidisciplinary
Research Journal (GIMRJ)
minded, not thinking about India as a whole nation. But he strongly retorted to them through his
speeches in several conferences of the Depressed Classes, through his mouthpieces- Mook
Nayak and Bahishkrut Bharat and also by taking up original researches in law, religions,
economics, political, anthropology and philosophy. He articles evoked a spirit of and awareness
among his people and they stood with him in sun and showers. It was not enough for India to be
an independent country, she must rise as a good state guaranteeing equal status in matters
religious, social, economic and political to all classes, offering every man an opportunity to rise
in the scales of life and wanted to awaken the depressed classes to their disparities, take
education and progress. He realized nothing would be gained by sitting inactively and begging
for rights. Therefore he urged them to ‘rise, learn and struggle’.
It was for the first time that Ambedkar won his first victory in his public life, in 1920 at
Nagpur when he spoke at All India Conference convened by the Untouchables. His skill of
debate, presence of mind and his ability as a prospective leader were seen to a remarkable degree.
This conference gave him a opportunity of turning the eyes of the untouchables from the
Depressed Classes Mission.
Dr. Ambedkar- a Reformer:
The most important resolution that sped up Ambedkar’s mission was one moved by S.K.
Bole in 1923 allowed the untouchables to exercise the right of drinking water at all public places
walls and dharmashalas which were built with and maintained out of public funds. Ambedkar
was looking for social reforms in the sense of reorganization and reconstruction of Hindu society
on the basis of equality. He was looking completed salvation. There was still conservative
feeling, unmoved like a mountain, not ready to accept equality based society. He wanted to fight
for it.
A man of great knowledge and boundless energy he was man who regard3ed the woes
and miseries of those classes as a personal humiliation and thus had taken a vow to make self
respecting citizens out of those virtual slaves. He urged the untouchability to fight for salvation.
He cried out “You have been groaning from time immemorial and yet you are not ashamed to
hug your helplessness as inviolability.” His massage of self elevation soon gathered force. The
Depressed Classes Mission took his cognizance and he started working vigorously. He emerged
as a leader who had vision and intellectual energy to lead them to real salvation. His satyagrahas
at Mahad and Nasik are just glimpses of it. At the same time Ambedkar paid attention to the
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Gurukul International
ISSN No. 2394-8426
Mar – 2015
Issue – I, Volume – II
Multidisciplinary
Research Journal (GIMRJ)
problems of textiles labors and railway workers. He fought a legal battle for them and won rights
for them. Through his impressive speeches and pursuance he compelled the governments to make
welfare laws for the labors and workers. Despite of his tussle with Gandhi over the issues of
allocation separate electorates for the Untouchability, Ambedkar never looked back. Like a great
warrior he won all battles and came triumphantly.
The Reflection of Ambedkar’s Mission in the Indian Constitution.
The last battle of his mission was awaiting his valor. It was the battle of framing the
constitution of free India. All missiles, powers, spiritual strength, legal scholarship was to put test
which he managed with great intelligence and became the father of the unique Indian
Constitution. The preamble of the constitution is itself self-explanatory of completion of his
mission. His mission was only to win rights for the untouchables but to root out all the ills and
create and constitute India into a, SOVERREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC,
RUPUBLIC and to secure all its citizen: JUSTICE, social, economic, and political; LIBERTY of
thoughts, expression, belief, faith and worship-; EQULITY of status and of opportunity’ and to
promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of
Nation.
Conclusion:
Dr. Ambedkar himself converted into Buddhist and also jacks of his followers. His life
and mission has been a beacon light for the ethnic India. Now all the Indians are reaping the rich
harvest of ‘justice, liberty, equality and fraternity’. Now we are, to quote Ruskin Bond, “the
typical sons of soil; so terrifying in crowd, so beautiful in himself.”We must cherish the
memories and keep the mission going on by “defending the independence of this land to the
last drop of our blood.”
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Gurukul International
ISSN No. 2394-8426
Mar – 2015
Issue – I, Volume – II
Multidisciplinary
Research Journal (GIMRJ)
REFERENCES
1. Dr. Dahat, Dhanraj, Speeches and Thought of Dr. Babasaheb Amebdkar, Sanket
Prakashan, Nagpur.
2. Skankararo Kharat, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Yanche Dharmantar.
3. Dr. Jataw, D.R., Economical thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar.
4. Dr. Kasbe, Raosaheb, Dr. Ambedkar and Indian Constitution, Sugawa Prakashan ,Pune.
5. Granville, Austine, the Indian Constitution, Orient Longman.
6. Kothari , Rajani, Politics in India, Bombay, Orient Longman.
7. Ambedkar B.R., Annihilation of Caste, Jalandhar Bhimpatrika
8. Dr. Ambedkar, B. R. states and Mionorities: What Are Their Rights And How To Secure
Of Free India, Bombay.
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